The RAV4 is Toyota’s bestselling SUV. In 2022, the brand sold over 366,741 units in the United States alone, meaning more RAV4s were sold in that year than the Camry, Tacoma, Highlander, or Corolla.
Combining its distinctive looks with compelling practicality, all-weather capability, and fuel economy, the RAV4 has won the hearts of many Americans who love compact SUVs. The RAV4 has been in North America for over two decades and is currently in its fifth generation, meaning most SUV lovers know a thing or two about it. However, as there are some things you may not be aware of, we put this article together to explore the diverse attributes of the RAV4.
Toyota had been Conceptualizing the RAV4 as far back as 1986
The United States first saw the Toyota RAV4 in January 1996, when it was officially launched in the U.S. market.
Toyota had been conceptualizing the RAV4 since the mid-’80s. Its idea for the SUV was a ‘neo-urban 4WD vehicle’ targeted at young city dwellers with active lifestyles. The brilliant minds at Toyota developed the concept in 1986 but had to wait until 1989 for the concept to take form at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show. The first-generation RAV4 debuted in Europe and Japan in 1994 and then in Canada and the USA a while later.
The Name’s Origin
According to Toyota, ‘RAV4’ originally meant ‘Recreational Activity Vehicle: 4-wheel drive.’ Thus, it was marketed as a vehicle with considerable off-road potential despite being equally at home in the city. However, it’s worth noting that not all 1st-generation RAV4 models come with all-wheel drive.
It Was Not the First Crossover SUV
The Toyota RAV4 is often said to be America’s first crossover SUV, but this is not so. The AMC Eagle preceded it in 1980. The Eagle was a station wagon with a jacked-up suspension, large off-road wheels, and permanent all-wheel drive. After the AMC Eagle came the Jeep Cherokee XJ in 1983; the RAV4 came after that.
Unibody Construction
The RAV4’s name suggests a hardcore, off-road vehicle with a body-on-frame construction similar to the truck-based SUVs of its time. However, this SUV has a unibody (monocoque) construction because it was meant to be driven primarily in the city.
The RAV4 Changed How People Perceive SUVs
Other crossovers may have preceded the RAV4, but it was the crossover that made the most impact as a crossover. Oversized, boxy, body-on-frame SUVs like the Ford Explorer, Toyota 4Runner, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Jeep Grand Cherokee dominated the ’90s SUV market in the US.
The RAV4 helped SUV lovers see that a smaller, car-based crossover like the RAV4 made more sense for life in the city and suburbs. Thanks to the chassis, it was lighter, more fuel efficient, and easier to handle than the body-on-frame SUVs of the time.
The RAV4 Convertible
The 1st-generation Toyota RAV4 was available in 3-door and 5-door options. The 3-door RAV4 models had a soft or hard top over the SUV’s second row. The same models were available with 2WD or AWD, with the AWD models utilizing a manually locking center differential with a manual transmission. These RAV4 ‘convertibles’ were available between 1996 and 1999.
The RAV4 EV
Toyota also offered an EV version of the first-generation RAV4 from 1997 to 2003 and, later, the third-generation RAV4 from 2012 to 2014. The first EV version had a 27kWh battery pack that provided a driving range of approximately 100-120 miles, primarily available for fleet lease. Toyota produced 1,484 units of that model. The second version had a 41.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, suitable for driving 103 miles on a single charge.
The Toyota RAV4 Prime – Toyota’s Fastest SUV
Toyota’s fastest SUV is the Toyota RAV4 Prime, a plug-in hybrid introduced to the RAV4’s fifth-generation model lineup in 2020. This model benefits from a potent 302-hp hybrid powerplant that pairs a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine with two electric motors. An 18.1 kWh battery pack stores power for the electric motors. The Prime can go from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds.
The RAV4 Prime Has the Longest EV Range Among Plug-in Hybrid SUVs
The RAV4 Prime can be driven longer in electric mode than any other plug-in hybrid SUV on the market, making it ideal for daily commuters. Its total EV range is 42 miles. When the battery pack is depleted, the 2.5L engine seamlessly kicks in, extending the SUV’s range by an additional 600 miles.
There is a Three-Row Toyota RAV4
For a limited time, Toyota produced an extended-wheelbase version of the third-generation Toyota RAV4 with an optional third-row seat. In other markets, this three-row RAV4 was called the Toyota Vanguard and was equipped with a 2.4L inline-four or 3.5L V6 engine.
The 4th-generation RAV4 Was Considered ‘Too Feminine’
When developing the 5th-generation RAV4, Toyota completely changed the SUV’s exterior design, making it look like the Tacoma pickup. This is because Toyota researched and found that many enthusiasts said the previous generation model seemed too feminine. It was also noted that 56 percent of sales were to women and 44 percent were to men. Therefore, Toyota made the 5th RAV4 mimic the tough-looking Toyota Tacoma pickup to make it appear more masculine.
The 5th-Generation Toyota RAV4 is More Powerful
When assembling the 5th-generation RAV4, Toyota added an improved, optional 8-speed automatic transmission that made a big difference performance-wise. The non-hybrid models with a 2.5L engine that pairs with this transmission increased horsepower from 178 hp in the previous generation models to 203 hp. This accounts for a slightly quicker 0-60mph time of 8.1 seconds.
The Toyota RAV4 Off-Road Models
The Toyota RAV4 was never meant for all-out, no-holds-barred off-road adventures. However, Toyota tried to make off-road-themed models in the SUV’s fourth and fifth generations that offer more capability on loose-traction surfaces than the other models.
In 2013, Toyota added the Adventure and Adventure Premium models to the 4th-generation lineup, and in 2019, it added the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims to 5th-generation RAV4 SUVs.
The More You Know…
These are just some unique things you should know about the Toyota RAV4. There are other aspects to discover, some specific to certain generations. The Toyota RAV4 SUV is a critical part of Toyota’s long-term success, so it is no wonder the brand pours so much innovation into this SUV.
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Mark Muhoro is a car enthusiast and writer who loves everything about automobiles. With over 11 years of experience in the automotive industry, Mark has become an expert in how cars work and what makes them special. He writes clear and interesting articles about cars for magazines and websites, making valuable contributions to renowned platforms like Vroom Magazine, Internet Brands, and Contentmotive.
